Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, left, celebrates with teammate Draymond Green during the second half of Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the Houston Rockets on Monday in Houston. The Warriors rallied to win and earn their fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals, where they will meet the Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth straight year. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scramble for a loose ball during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela, right, is hit in the face as he scores over Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, left, in the first half during Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker (4) chase a loose ball during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with teammate Draymond Green (23) during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Houston Rockets, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is fouled by Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, left, as he tries to score past forward Kevon Looney (5) during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates a play with teammate Kevin Durant (35) during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Houston Rockets, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul watches from the bench during the first half of Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney, bottom left, defends a shot during the first half of Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul, right, watches the action. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni reacts to a play during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker (4) is blocked by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) as he tries to score in the first half during Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker (4) is blocked by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) as he tries to score in the first half during Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) drives around Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green (14) during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) reacts after he was called for a foul during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Houston Rockets, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket past Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket past Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is blocked by Golden State Warriors center Jordan Bell (2) as he tries to score during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) drives to the basket past Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) stands on the sideline during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Houston Rockets, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni signals to his players during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket past Golden State Warriors center Jordan Bell (2) in the first half during Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela, center, is fouled by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, as he tries to score during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is fouled as he tries to score against Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) and guard Klay Thompson in the first half during Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) celebrates after he scored against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) is fouled by Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker (4) as he tires to score during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) scores against the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) lose control of the ball as he drives around Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) holds his nose after he scored against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is stopped by Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, front right, and forward Draymond Green, back right, as he tries to score during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela, center, score over Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela, center, drives to the basket over Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, left, and guard Klay Thompson (11) in the first half during Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden, center, drives to the basket between Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, and center Jordan Bell (2) in the first half during Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr argues a call during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Houston Rockets, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker (4) reaches for a loose ball during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) helps Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) after he fell to the floor during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) is stopped by Golden State Warriors defenders Jordan Bell, left, and Draymond Green, right, as he tries to score during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) is stopped by Golden State Warriors defenders Jordan Bell, left, and Draymond Green, right, as he tries to score during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (4) and guard Gerald Green, left, argue a call with official Derrick Stafford during the second half of Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, and Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker chase the ball during the second half of Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and forward Kevin Durant (35) defend during the second half of Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) pumps his fists as Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (4) walks to the bench late in the second half of Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) is fouled by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry during the second half of Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, celebrates after they defeated the Houston Rockets in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The Golden State Warriors celebrate with their trophy after defeating the Houston Rockets in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, holding his son D. J., celebrates with teammates after defeating the Houston Rockets in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

HOUSTON — Steph Curry and Golden State turned all those Houston bricks into a road back to the NBA Finals.

Needing not only all their firepower but also 27 straight misses by the Rockets during an epic cold streak from 3-point range, the Warriors rallied to keep alive their hopes for a repeat.

Kevin Durant scored 34 points, Curry sparked another third-quarter turnaround, and the Warriors earned a fourth straight trip to the NBA Finals by beating the Rockets 101-92 in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Monday night.

The defending champions trailed by as many as 15 in the first half after falling behind 17 in Game 6.

“We know we can make an 11-point lead evaporate with two minutes of good basketball,” Klay Thompson said.

Curry, who finished with 27 points, scored 14 of Golden State’s 33 points in the third quarter as Houston’s shooting didn’t just go cold, it froze. The Rockets missed all 14 3-point attempts in that quarter as part of a 1-for-21 second half from long range.

Curry said someone asked him after the victory if it’s still special to get to the Finals when it’s the fourth time in a row.

“Yes,” he said, “because it’s really hard.”

The Warriors will host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 on Thursday night in the fourth straight matchup between the teams.

James Harden had 32 points as the top-seeded Rockets’ bid to return to the Finals for the first time since 1995 fell short without Chris Paul, who was nursing a hamstring injury for the second straight game.

“We just didn’t have that extra juice that we needed,” Harden said.

The Rockets fell apart in the second half again after doing so in Game 6. The Warriors outscored Houston 122-63 in the second half of the final two games.

“It’s amazing how long the NBA game is,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “Forty-eight minutes, it lasts a long time and there’s so many opportunities to get yourself going as a team. And with our team, there’s just so much firepower that at some point, we’re going to get going.”

The Rockets finished 7 for 44 on 3-point attempts, with Trevor Ariza missing all nine of his, Eric Gordon going 2 for 12 and Harden making just 2 of 13.

Houston was behind by 13 after a 3-pointer by Curry and had missed 27 straight 3-point tries when P.J. Tucker hit one from the corner to cut the lead to 89-79 midway through the quarter.

It was their first 3-pointer since one by Gordon with about 6-1/2 minutes left in the second quarter that put the Rockets up 42-28 during a woeful Warriors start.

“We were lucky to escape out of here,” Kerr said.

Tucker’s 3-pointer was the first of seven straight points for Houston which cut the lead to 89-83.

But Durant scored six points in a 9-2 spurt after that which left the Warriors 97-85 with about three minutes to go.

Houston finally found a little offense after that, using a 7-2 run to cut it to 99-92, but the Rockets’ rally bid came up short.

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Thompson added 19 for Golden State after scoring 35 in the Game 6 win and the Warriors got a fourth straight start from UCLA product Kevon Looney with Andre Iguodala sitting out again with a bone bruise on his left leg.

After being down by 10 at halftime of Game 6, the Warriors trailed by 11 entering the third quarter on Monday night. Golden State opened the third quarter with a 10-4 run to cut the lead to 58-53 after a 3-pointer by Nick Young with about eight minutes left in the quarter.

Tucker made one of two free throws and the teams exchanged layups before Golden State scored nine straight points, with two 3s from Curry, to take a 64-61 lead.

Harden made two free throws before Curry scored eight points in a row, highlighted by a 3-pointer which bounced high off the rim before falling back in, to make it 72-63 with just over two minutes left in the quarter.

Golden State scored 33 points in the third quarter for the second straight game while Houston managed just 15 points on Monday night after it scored 16 in the third in Game 6.

TIP-INS

Warriors: Curry went to the locker room with trainers between the first and second quarters, but returned to the bench with about 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter and soon returned to the game. … Thompson picked up his third foul with about 8-1/2 minutes left in the first quarter and sat out most of the period. … Draymond Green had 10 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

Rockets: Houston fell to 6-5 all-time in Game 7s and 4-2 at home. … Capela finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds. … Tucker had 14 points and 12 rebounds.

PUSHING EACH OTHER

Green and Durant were barking at each other several times during the game when things weren’t going well for the Warriors.

“I was cussing him out,” Green said. “He was cussing me out when I was wrong. I was cussing at him out when he was wrong. But that’s what we do. I am the guy who calls him out and he is the guy who calls me out. It’s great. You have to have that on your team. To know that you’ve got guys in your corner means a lot.”

UP NEXT

The Warriors host Game 1 of the Finals on Thursday and Game 2 on Sunday.